As the annual Hindu festival of Durga Puja approaches, Bengal, Assam, and other eastern Indian states are gearing up for a five-day extravaganza of food, festivities, new attires, and pandal hopping. This celebration is not just an event, but an integral part of Bengali culture that embodies emotion, tradition, and community bonding. With the festival season underway, it’s natural to seek inspiration for Durga Puja outfit ideas.
At Outfit Trends, we’ve delved into the world of traditional fashion to bring you the latest styles that will make your festive experience even more memorable. When it comes to sarees, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula; instead, Bengali women often mix and match various types of sarees and traditional attire to create a unique look for each day of the festival.
We’ve scoured the market to provide you with the most stylish and wearable Durga Puja looks that will make you stand out in the crowd.
What can you wear on each day of Durga pooja?
As the nine-day Durga Puja celebration unfolds, dressing up for each day is an integral part of the festivities. The first day, Shashti, sets the tone with light and airy attire, such as a cotton linen saree during the morning, followed by a glamorous salwar suit and banarasi dupatta in the evening. On Saptami, opt for a light-colored handloom cotton saree paired with a sleeveless blouse or shirt. Don’t forget to add some sparkle with jewelry, keeping makeup subtle.
An alternative option is an elegant Anarkali suit. Ashtami’s attire shifts gears towards opulence, featuring embroidered and embellished sarees, perfect for heavy gold jewelry. For the morning Anjali, a tussar silk saree creates a stunning backdrop, while a gorgeous silk saree takes center stage in the evening.
Nabami marks the penultimate day, where sadness at the puja’s end is momentarily forgotten with vibrant outfits like a plain lehenga choli during the day and an embellished saree at night, radiating positivity. Finally, on Dashami, bid farewell to Maa Durga in style, donning sindoor khela’s classic red and white saree or opting for a vibrant pure silk saree in any other color, as the puja comes full circle.
20 – Chanderi Silk Saree with Matching Blouse
The allure of silk sarees knows no bounds, captivating Indian women with their timeless charm and sophistication. This stunning purple chanderi saree is a perfect choice for Durga Puja celebrations, as its vibrant hue guarantees to turn heads. What’s more, the exquisite design allows you to make a statement without needing excessive jewelry – a gold pendant or earring harmonizes beautifully with the golden tones in the blouse and saree, elevating your overall look.
19 – Modern Saree Look with Chunky Jewelry
A harmonious blend of classic and contemporary styles, this outfit perfectly embodies the essence of traditional Indian sarees infused with modern flair. The vibrant colors of the saree itself serve as the perfect backdrop for a understated yet chic beauty look. To elevate the overall aesthetic, pair the saree with a sleek belt and your go-to shades. Opt for a low bun and chunky earrings to add a touch of sophistication.
A soft, flushed makeup look completes the look, resulting in a polished and confident appearance.
18 – Yellow Skirt Set with Jacket
For a stylish and modest look this Durga Puja, consider pairing an embroidered top with a dhoti skirt for a formal event. This combination is perfect if you’re aiming to blend Eastern flair with a hint of Western style. To complete the outfit, add a long yellow cape or cardigan to cover your shoulders if desired. For added glamour, don’t forget to accessorize with fancy jewelry that matches the embroidery on your blouse. Opt for yellow khussa or heels as the perfect footwear choice.
17 – A Vision in Red
It’s easy to overlook the significance of accessories in elevating a simple outfit to a truly glamorous ensemble. Take Tara Sutaria’s stunning red saree, for instance – she looks like a vision in motion. To create this show-stopping look, keep the saree itself understated with a lightweight chiffon fabric and opt for a statement blouse and intricate borders instead. Style your hair into a sleek bun to let the jewelry and saree take center stage.
Given the bold color of the saree, it’s best to tone down the makeup with a natural, soft look that doesn’t compete with the overall drama. Aim for a subtle eye makeup approach with kohl accents and subtly smudged eyeliner to complete the look.
16 – Fusion of Ethnic and Western
Elevate your style game by seamlessly blending ethnic and western elements in a single outfit. This fusion of styles has timeless appeal, much like the iconic saree. Its versatility knows no bounds – you can wear it to a casual outing, a glamorous party, or even a professional setting. The intricate details and flattering fit make it an excellent choice for any occasion, whether that’s celebrating Durga Puja or simply wanting to stand out from the crowd.
15 – After Puja Evening Outfit
Struggling to pick an outfit for that evening cocktail party after puja? Don’t stress! We’ve got you covered. Take a peek at this timeless ensemble below, which is sure to make you the center of attention. The elegant design and impeccable taste of this dress will undoubtedly elevate your style game. To take it up a notch, pair it with high heel sandals, minimal silver jewelry, and smoky eye makeup that makes a statement.
Finish off the look with a sleek bun and you’ll be ready to own the evening!
14 – Lehnga Set with Sleeve Attachment
This stunning ensemble brings together the charm of a printed lehenga and an elaborately embellished choli. The latter’s intricacy will add a touch of sophistication to your overall appearance, while its sleeves provide the perfect finishing touches. To elevate this look further, consider pairing it with a delicate silver accessory, such as a choker or pendant, and a subtle makeup palette that lets your natural beauty shine.
And don’t forget the crowning glory – a radiant smile that lights up your entire presence.
13 – Kurti Styled with Sharara Pants
Elevate your festive season style with a striking combination of a kurta and sharara pants set, reminiscent of the classic Kurti-sharara combo. This vibrant outfit is sure to turn heads, exuding an aura of chicness, trendiness, and sophistication. Pair it with a matching dupatta, understated accessories, soft pink lips, and effortless hair for a look that’s as youthful as it is stylish.
If you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out these additional party kurtas that are perfect for making a statement this festive season.
12 – Pair Frock With Patterned Dupatta
This exquisite frock is not only lightweight but also effortlessly stylish. With just a touch of oxidized silver jewelry, you’ll be ready to turn heads! Pair it with a stunning printed dupatta for a look that’s both understated yet elegant. Whether you’re attending a brunch or dinner party during the 10-day celebration of Durga Puja, this outfit is sure to bring out your best.
11 – Bengali Saree with Embellished Belt
Transform your Bengali saree into a majestic ensemble by thoughtfully pairing it with an embellished belt featuring contrasting accents. The harmonious union of the classic kanjivaram and the embellished belt is a heavenly combination, ideal for a Bengali saree Durga Puja outfit. To further elevate the look, consider a radiant makeup finish, bold lip color, sleek updo, and a statement stack of bangles for a traditionally regal appearance that exudes elegance.
10 – Lilac Anarkali with Choori Pajama and Embellished Dupatta
The Anarkali frock with churidar pajama embodies the essence of elegance, effortlessly evoking a vintage charm that will make you feel like a medieval princess. This timeless combination is ideal for Durga puja, as it seamlessly blends sophistication and comfort. One of its most striking features is its versatility – it flatters all body types and heights, making it a truly inclusive design.
Whether you’re looking to exude refinement or simply want to make a statement, this magnificent attire is sure to impress.
9 – Green Silk Saree with Zari Border and Gajra
As Durga Puja celebrations approach, draw inspiration from none other than the stunning Alia Bhatt. A green silk saree with a zari border is an excellent choice to make a stylish impression. The harmonious blend of green and golden hues will add a vibrant touch to the festive atmosphere. To complement this outfit, try pairing it with some elegant hairstyles adorned with gajras, which will beautifully encapsulate the essence of Indian culture.
Finally, complete your look with a pair of golden jhumkas for an effortless, radiant appearance.
8 – Red Silk Blouse and White Saree
When attending a Durga Puja pandal, you can’t go wrong with the classic Bengali red and white saree look. However, to stand out from the crowd, try adding a modern twist by opting for simple, understated clothing and making up for it with bold silver jewelry. Don’t forget to complete your outfit with gajra and bindi before heading out to puja. Consider a pure linen saree as an option for its effortless elegance.
7 – Black Never Goes Wrong
Unleash your inner diva this festive season by donning a classic black saree that exudes timeless elegance. Pair it with a sumptuous velvet blouse and a sleek bun for an Old Bollywood-inspired look that’s sure to turn heads. Complete the ensemble with a nude lip shade and matching jewelry, and you’ll be ready to leave everyone in awe.
6 – Slay in Lehnga Choli
When it comes to choosing an outfit for special occasions or everyday wear, lehenga choli is always a safe and stylish bet. For more casual celebrations with family or friends, opt for a simple yet vibrant lehenga-choli set that will add a pop of color to your look. This ensemble also works well for more subdued desi events throughout the year. To elevate the overall aesthetic, consider pairing it with golden jhumkis, which beautifully complement the purple hue.
A classic and timeless choice that is sure to make you stand out.
5 – Floral Lehnga Choli for Durga Puja
Elevate your festive style with a low-effort yet effortlessly chic floral printed lehenga choli combination, perfect for Durga Puja celebrations. The vibrant pink hue adds an auspicious touch, while the comfortable fabric ensures you stay cool and composed during the festivities and dancing. To complete the look, add some glamour with silver danglers and a stack of bangles – you’ll be ready to welcome the puja season in style!
4 – Angrakha Style Frock With Matching Dupatta
The versatility of long angrakha dresses is what makes them a fashion favourite. These garments can be styled to suit various occasions, from casual to formal. For example, you could create a stunning outfit for Durga Puja festivities by pairing the simple long Angrakha with a heavy dupatta or a plain one adorned with gota kinari, and complement it with your favorite silver jewellery pieces.
3 – Chanderi Suit with Benarsi Dupatta
The ensemble is brought to life by the stunning combination of a beige suit made from luxurious Chanderi silk, paired with a vibrant maroon and gold Banarasi dupatta that adds a pop of color to the overall look. To complete this festive outfit, we recommend styling it with loose hair, silver jewelry such as jhumkis or earrings, and embellished juttis on the feet for a touch of elegance.
2 – Bandhani sharara pants with mirror-work crop tops
Elevate your festive style game by combining modern elements with traditional flair. A mirror work crop top, when paired with bandhani sharara pants, creates a unique and eye-catching outfit that’s perfect for celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. Add some glamour with big earrings and heels to complete the look. This unconventional ensemble is sure to make you stand out from the crowd and turn heads.
1 – Contrasting Dupattas for the Win
When it comes to conveying passion and love, the vibrant hue of red is often the go-to choice. In Indian culture, red holds a special significance as it’s the most sought-after color for offering sacred garments like Chunri to the revered goddess Durga during festivals. Red is also widely regarded as the celebration color, evoking feelings of joy and festivity. Take the ivory-hued Anarkali kurti, for instance – adding a bold red dupatta will undoubtedly make it stand out and grab attention.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q. Which Bengali saree is best for Durga puja?
Immersed in culture and history, Bengali sarees boast a unique charm. Each one boasts its own distinct qualities, from intricate embroidery to lavish fabrics. For instance, muslin sarees make for a perfect summer ensemble, while red silk sarees exude elegance and sophistication. Meanwhile, Kantha work sarees offer a relaxed yet stylish option for casual gatherings or brunch dates.
